Honor in recent Movies (Vanity post)

Lucas McCain

[Lucas McCain]

I almost never do vanity posts but I have seen three movies lately that I want to comment on. I thoroughly enjoyed two of these movies, The Guardian, and Fly Boys, in spite of fact that the professional film critics were generally dismissive of them as being cliché ridden.

[Lucas McCain]

I almost never do vanity posts but I have seen three movies lately that I want to comment on. I thoroughly enjoyed two of these movies, The Guardian, and Fly Boys, in spite of fact that the professional film critics were generally dismissive of them as being cliché ridden. What that means is that these movies celebrated concepts that the critics generally disdain: honor, courage, and sacrifice. The Guardian is about the elite Coast Guard rescue swimmers. I can’t remember ever seeing a movie about the Coast Guard before and came away from this movie with a profound respect and gratitude for what they do. The Fly Boys is about American young men who went to France, prior to America’s entrance into WWI, learn to fly, and take to the skies to help France fight off the Hun. Thrilling air battle scenes. I suggest you see these movies if you get a chance. The fact that the movies critics dismissed these movies as cliché ridden reminds me of a quote by C. S. Lewis: "We scoff at honor and are shocked to find traitors among us."

The third movie, The Departed, was highly praised by the critics. I thought it was a steaming pile of nihilist crap. The good guys were just barely better than the bad guys. Almost all the major characters, good and bad ended up dead, and for what? Who cares? Also, I don’t believe I’ve ever watched a movie in which the F-word was used more. Scorsese is celebrated as a genius, of course, and no doubt he is a talented director. But this movie made me wish I had seen the Texas Chainsaw Massacre instead.

BTW, I noticed that Sean Penn’s latest is a certified stink bomb. After three weeks, All the King’s Men (executive producer: James “Smeagol” Carville) has only grossed 7 million dollars.

[dfwgator]

'Flags of Our Fathers' looks like it's going to be real good.

[psjones]

Was the "F" word used in the movie more than in Goodfellas and the Last Boy Scout? I never understood what was so great about Goodfellas, I don't think I even watched the entire movie.

[Buell_X1-1200]

What about the F words in the original "Smokey and the Bandit". I think it was Rated R from the beginning because of all the nasty language ...

[Jack Hammer]

Beat me to it. Read the book, which was great, and I've seen the ads for the movie - which look pretty good so far. Directed by Clint Eastwood, if I'm not mistaken, which should be a plus. Anyway, it'll be a cinematic event. I'm looking forward to it.

[dfwgator]

What F words in Smokey and the Bandit, the only one I recall was drowned out by a car horn.

[Varmint Al]

Morality and honesty. This movie has both in spades. I really enjoyed it.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[elc]

Almost all the major characters, good and bad ended up dead, and for what?

I'm not really bothered by whether you liked it or not, but some of us are still planning on seeing this movie and would appreciate not knowing things like this.

[The G Man]

"Almost all the major characters, good and bad ended up dead."

Thanks, Mr Spoiler person!

[JWinNC]

Add "Facing the Giants" to the good list. A must see if one is a Christian. Not much meaning if one isn't.

[klgator]

I've figured out a great way to watch movies that throw F bombs around. Catch them on television. I saw Goodfellas and was pleasantly surprised by how well all the F bombs were removed, and that was a LOT of F bombs. Watched Primary Colors on television then rented it. Wow, what a difference.

[#1CTYankee]

Almost never go to the movies, haven't been there since I saw Team America.

I recently saw "The Greatest Game Ever Played." on cable.

Great move, although it's about golf it's not a golf movie. (That make sense?)

Throughly enjoyable and aside from some "Brief mild language" (PG) it is something the whole family can enjoy.

[what's up]

I'm grateful for the input on "The Departed". I was thinking about it but don't want to see a swearing, murder-fest. That one got 96% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. Sheesh.

I agree with you about "Fly Boys".

Even though it got only 16% approval on Rotten I thought it was an excellent movie.

Glad that Kevin Costner is making good movies again. His last 2 were absolute dogs.

[Verloona Ti]

Here's a movie for us all to avoid, when it comes out:

They're turning the Wichita Horror into entertainment-a film. The director of Saw and Saw II is making it.

From Rue Morgue magazine, page 9, May 2006 issue:

"Wichita is going to push the limits of what people can handle more than any other film before it,"Bousman stated confidently...Set during the holiday season, the story concerns a singular event which sets in motion the eventual detruction of eight separate people. ...Boseman...notes that it's based on real events.

I like the 'eight separate people', with the two vicious murderers being lumped in with the victims as equally worthy of sympathy.

(As for good films , I am hoping to see Flyboys on the big screen. I usually wait for DVD, but this one sounds great. )

[vpintheak]

"Fly Boys" was good. SOme cheesy stuff, but I really enjoyed it.

[GOPJ]

It would be wonderful if Hollywood would start making movies for the 50% of us who are conservative - or even for the 80% of us who are NOT teenagers...

Here's the problem - when you go to the few (very few) token movies they throw out to the 50% of the population that's conservative, you support the organizations that hate this country, undermine the war effort and hurt our children. Is it really worth it? Maybe if the our traditional movies move past the "token" stage, I'll go back ... for now? NO, I will not support these people. They'll use my money and your money to put out more trash...

[rawcatslyentist]

Too bad they didn't have a stray dawg, maybe the BTK would have gotten them before they BTKed for themselves.

BTW Flyboys was pretty good, the special effects were a bit distracting, and nowhere near historically accurate in terms of warplane technology.

[Verloona Ti]

I thought there were too many red triplanes, as if all German flyers used that paint job. I'd still like to see it.

(As for the Wichita Horror movie, there's nothing wrong necessarily with a film based on a true crime. Citizen X was a fine film. But when the murders (and the sexual assaults) are treated as if they're titilating, and when the murderers-in this case, the loathsome Carr brothers-are treated as if they're also victims, then that's a different matter, and the director's description makes me believe that's exactly what we'll see in Wichita.

[Dick Vomer]

go to blockbuster and rent "St Ralph"....

for a great Kevin costner movie...I vote for "Fandango"...best music, funniest two scenes and great ending.

[Fletcher J]

Agreed. "Facing the Giants" is a fantastic movie.

Christians who are fed up with the immorality of movies today should see this one instead. You won't be disapointed (even the ladies - my wife loved it), and if it's a success, maybe we'll see more like it.

Fletcher J